“Always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasn’t right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best”
In October 2022, 48-year-old Samantha Vaughan from Co Laois contracted covid.
“Post covid I began experiencing breathlessness, I was also dealing with repeated sinus infections. This went on for a number of months but was all put down to long covid. I was put on a few courses of antibiotics and given inhalers, but nothing had worked.
“By May I began feeling pain in my left chest area, it felt as though I had pulled a muscle in my side. I decided to go to my doctor and request a referral for an x-ray.
“I had to call back up to try get my results as 2 weeks had passed, I was told that a lesion had showed up in my right lung but that there was nothing wrong with my left lung. They also said I would need a CT scan.” Says the mum-of-four.
“I ended up booking a CT scan privately as I wanted to get my results as soon as possible. I had my CT scan in the morning and by the evening, I had a phone call back from my GP to say they had found a tumor."
“I was totally shocked; I was only 47 at the time and felt I wouldn’t be affected by lung cancer as I was a non-smoker.
“They needed to take a biopsy and remove the tumour, they also wanted to check my lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. I ended up having half my right lung removed but thankfully my lymph nodes were clear.
Samantha was in hospital for two weeks after her surgery, spending a number of days in ICU.
“After that I was given my final diagnosis. Lung adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of non-small cell lung cancer. It was stage two, grade three.
“My consultant said no further treatment would be needed as they had successfully removed the tumour, with no lymph nodes affected, the cancer had not spread.
"I was told that I had met the criteria for a current cancer in Cork Hospital, which would involve me taking a new medication each day for three years with the hopes that it will help protect me in the future from my cancer reoccurring.
“I decided to agree to take part in the trial and I am happy to be involved. So far, it’s going fine, I have been dealing with some abscesses and ulcers in my mouth and nose, spots on the face, upset stomach, but I am managing this. My energy levels are also not the same, and breathing can be difficult sometimes as a result of the surgery.
“At the moment it’s the mental side I am struggling with the most. I am experiencing bad anxiety which affects my sleep. I have been told to really cut down on my activity and I am also off work. I am a busy mum, I always like to be out and about, I find no longer being able to do that, very difficult. My recovery will take months, not weeks”
“I decided to reach out to the Cúisle Centre in Portlaoise, which receives funding from the Irish Cancer Society. I have found the counselling, mindfulness and reiki here, really helpful. At first, I thought I wouldn’t need these supports, but I have actually found them invaluable. Especially meeting other people who are going through the same as myself and understand what you are experiencing.”
On advice she would like to share with others, Samantha says “Always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasn’t right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best”
Join us on March 22, and go all in against cancer!
Take part however you'd like - whether you step up to our 12,000 Steps a Day Challenge, host a coffee morning or bake, or organise a non-uniform day in your school your support makes such a huge impact on better cancer detection, treatments, and vital support services!
If you have worries or concerns about cancer, you can speak confidentially to an Irish Cancer Society Cancer Nurse through the Freephone Support Line on 1800 200 700.
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
For more information
Phone
0818 10 20 30
